How Are Beans Decaffeinated?
Some coffee is subjected to the removal of its naturally occurring caffeine. Caffeine is an alkaloid, a flavorless chemical component of coffee that acts as a stimulant. It affects the brain, heart, lungs, circulatory system and digestive system in both positive and negative ways. Chief among the negatives is that it can block the chemical reaction in the brain that allows us to sleep.
The invention of decaffeinated coffee in the early 20th century century enabled coffee lovers to have their coffee and sleep too. Several different methods are used to remove the caffeine, by treating them with chemical solvents, water or carbon dioxide. These methods can diminish the flavor and aroma of coffee, but it does provide an alternative for those who can’t tolerate too much caffeine.
